Separation anxiety is one of the most common and undertreated behavioral problems in dogs, causing significant suffering and often leading to relinquishment.
Separation anxiety causes genuine panic in affected dogs — not misbehavior or spite. Affected dogs experience racing heart, panting, vocalization, and destructive behavior as symptoms of acute distress when left alone. The condition is progressive if untreated and is a leading reason for dog relinquishment. Treatment combines behavior modification (gradual independence training, departure and arrival desensitization) with anxiolytic medication in moderate-to-severe cases. Remote monitoring cameras help owners identify sub-clinical signs and track treatment progress.